Shaping system, and shaping apparatus

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a shaping system for shaping a three-dimensional object, which includes a slice data generation step that generates slice data and a shaping execution step that shapes the three-dimensional object by a shaping apparatus based on the slice data. The shaping apparatus shapes the three-dimensional object using inkjet heads. The slice data generation step has a color cross-section data generation step that generates color cross-section data showing at least a cross-sectional shape of the three-dimensional object and a color at each position, a plate division data generation step that generates plate division cross-section data in which the color cross-section data is color-separated for each color of the material, and a plate division cross-section data change step that changes at least some plate division cross-section data. The slice data is generated based on the plate division cross-section data changed in the plate division cross-section data change step.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of patent application Ser. No.15/917,849, filed on Mar. 12, 2018, wherein the patent application Ser.No. 15/917,849 claims the priority benefit of Japanese PatentApplication No. 2017-049495, filed on Mar. 15, 2017. The entirety ofeach of the above-mentioned patent applications is hereby incorporatedby reference herein and made a part of this specification.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a shaping method, a shaping system,and a shaping apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, there has been known a shaping apparatus (3D printer)for shaping a three-dimensional object using an inkjet head (forexample, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2015-71282). In sucha shaping apparatus, for example, ink layers formed by an inkjet headare stacked to shape a three-dimensional object by a layered shapingmethod.

Patent Literature: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2015-71282

SUMMARY

In the case of shaping a three-dimensional object by the layered shapingmethod, each layer to be stacked is formed by discharging a material forshaping to an ejection position determined according to the resolutionof shaping. However, in this case, a deviation may occur between aposition (landing position) at which the shaping material is actuallyejected and the ejection position on design. In addition, as a result,the quality of the three-dimensional object may be deteriorated.

More specifically, for example, in the case of shaping athree-dimensional object whose surface is colored, if a landing positionof a coloring material deviates, a difference may occur in tintdepending on the position of the three-dimensional object. In addition,as a result, the quality of the three-dimensional object may bedeteriorated. Thus, conventionally, for example, in the case of shapinga three-dimensional object whose surface is colored, it has been desiredto carry out shaping by a more appropriate method. Thus, the presentdisclosure aims to provide a shaping method, a shaping system, and ashaping apparatus capable of solving the above-mentioned problems.

When it is intended to suppress the problem caused by the deviation ofthe landing position of the coloring material, ideally, it is desirableto prevent occurrence of such a landing position deviation itself.However, depending on a configuration of a shaping apparatus, it may bedifficult to completely prevent the landing position deviation. Morespecifically, for example, in the case of discharging a material forshaping by an inkjet method using an inkjet head, it is difficult tocompletely eliminate a deviation of a landing position of the ink usedas the shaping material.

Thus, the inventor of the present application further studied a methodof making inconspicuous the influence even when a landing position of amaterial for coloring deviates. With respect to slice data used forcontrolling a shaping apparatus at the time of shaping, attention isfocused on plate division data (plate division cross-section data) inwhich color data showing a cross section of a three-dimensional objectis color-separated, and the inventor has found that the influence of thelanding position deviation as described above can be suppressed byperforming a predetermined change in at least some plate division data.More specifically, as a change in the plate division data, it isconsidered to change at least a portion of a position where the shapingmaterial is ejected according to the plate division cross-section data.

Also, by more earnest researches, the inventor found the necessarycharacteristics to obtain such effects, and has reached the presentdisclosure. In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the presentdisclosure provides a shaping method for shaping a three-dimensionalobject, at least the surface of which is colored. The shaping methodcomprises a slice data generation step of generating a plurality ofslice data, showing a configuration of a cross section of thethree-dimensional object at different positions in a preset stackingdirection, based on shaping data which is data showing thethree-dimensional object to be shaped by a shaping apparatus and ashaping execution step of shaping the three-dimensional object by theshaping apparatus based on the plurality of slice data. In the shapingmethod, the shaping apparatus shapes the three-dimensional object usinga plurality of ejection heads for discharging materials of plural colorsdifferent from one another. The slice data generation step comprises acolor cross-section data generation step of generating colorcross-section data which is data showing the configuration of the crosssection of the three-dimensional object at a preset cross-sectionalposition in the stacking direction and shows at least a shape of thecross section and a color of the three-dimensional object at eachposition of the cross section, a plate division data generation step ofgenerating plate division cross-section data which is data in which thecolor cross-section data is color-separated for each color of thematerial used for shaping the three-dimensional object, and a platedivision cross-section data change step of changing the plate divisioncross-section data such that at least a portion of a position where thematerial is ejected according to the plate division cross-section datais changed with respect to at least some of the plate divisioncross-section data. The shaping apparatus generates the slice data basedon the plate division cross-section data changed in the plate divisioncross-section data change step.

With such a configuration, for example, even when a landing position ofa coloring material deviates, it is possible to adjust such that theinfluence on the appearance of the color of the three-dimensional objector the like can be reduced. This also makes it possible, for example, tosuitably suppress deterioration of the quality of the three-dimensionalobject and to suitably shape a high-quality three-dimensional object inthe case of shaping a three-dimensional object whose surface is colored.

In this case, it is conceivable to change the plate divisioncross-section data so as to change the range (the range of the platedivision cross-section data) in which a material for shaping is ejectedaccording to the plate division cross-section data. The range in whichthe shaping material is ejected according to the plate divisioncross-section data is, for example, a range in a plane orthogonal to thestacking direction. More specifically, it is conceivable to increase therange in which the shaping material is ejected according to the platedivision cross-section data corresponding to any color is made largerthan a range corresponding to other colors and thereby form an outermostside (outermost portion) of a three-dimensional object with a certaincolor. With such a configuration, for example, even when a landingposition of a coloring material deviates, it is possible to suitablysuppress a change in the appearance of color.

In this case, for example, it is conceivable to make a range of theplate division cross-section data, corresponding to bright color withlittle light absorption, larger than a range of another color andthereby set a range of the plate division cross-section data of eachcolor so as to prevent the range of the plate division cross-sectiondata of another color from exceeding the range of the bright color. Forexample, when a three-dimensional object is colored using materials ofyellow, magenta, cyan, and black, it is preferable to set the range ofthe plate division cross-section data of each color so as to prevent therange of the plate division cross-section data of another color fromexceeding the range of the plate division cross-section datacorresponding to yellow. With such a configuration, for example, evenwhen a landing position of a coloring material deviates, it is possibleto suitably prevent a dark-colored material from deviating outside thethree-dimensional object. This also makes it possible, for example, tomore suitably suppress the change in the appearance of color.

When the plate division cross-section data is changed, for example, itis conceivable to shift a position in the plane orthogonal to thestacking direction on coordinates that manage a position of the platedivision cross-section data. In this case, for example, even when thelanding position of the coloring material is deviated by changing theway of shifting the position of the plate division cross-section datafor each layer to be stacked, the influence of the deviation can bedispersed and averaged. This also makes it possible, for example, tosuppress the influence of the appearance of color in individual layerson the side surface of the three-dimensional object or the like, and tosuitably express a desired color (tint) as the color of the surface.

Here, when the deviation amount of the landing position of the coloringmaterial is particularly large, it is preferable not to change the platedivision cross-section data but to reduce the deviation by, for example,adjusting an ejection timing of the material. For this reason, when theplate division cross-section data is changed, for example, it ispreferable to change the range and position by a minimum interval(minimum inter-dot pitch) of the ejection position according to theresolution of shaping. With such a configuration, for example, it ispossible to suitably suppress the influence of the deviation of thelanding position of the coloring material without excessively changingthe plate division cross-section data.

Further, when the plate division cross-section data is changed, forexample, it is conceivable to change a density at the position where theshaping material is ejected. In this case, for example, it isconceivable to change the plate division cross-section data so as toreduce a density in a region outside the three-dimensional object. Withsuch a configuration, for example, even when the landing position of thecoloring material deviates, it is possible to suitably suppress theinfluence on an outermost surface of the three-dimensional object. Thisalso makes it possible, for example, to suitably suppress the change inthe appearance of color and the like.

As a configuration of the present disclosure, it is also conceivable touse a shaping system, a shaping apparatus or the like having the samecharacteristics as those described above. Even in these cases, forexample, the same effect as described above can be obtained. The shapingmethod described above may be considered as a manufacturing method for athree-dimensional object.

According to the present disclosure, for example, when athree-dimensional object whose surface is colored is shaped, ahigh-quality three-dimensional object can be suitably shaped.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1(a) to 1(c) are diagrams showing an example of a shaping system10 for executing a shaping method for a three-dimensional objectaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein FIG. 1(a)shows an example of a configuration of the shaping system 10, FIG. 1(b)shows an example of a configuration of a relevant portion of a shapingapparatus 12, and FIG. 1(c) shows an example of a more detailedconfiguration of a head part 102;

FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) are diagrams showing an example of an operation thatgenerates slice data, wherein FIG. 2(a) is a cross-sectional viewshowing an example of a configuration of a three-dimensional object 50to be shaped by the shaping apparatus 12, and FIG. 2(b) is a diagramschematically showing a portion of the operation that generates theslice data in a control PC 14;

FIGS. 3(a) to 3(c) are diagrams for explaining the influence ofdeviation of a landing position of ink and the like, wherein FIG. 3(a)is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a landing positiondeviation (Y deviation) occurs in a main scanning direction (Ydirection), FIG. 3(b) is a diagram for explaining a change in tint on aside surface of the three-dimensional object 50, and FIG. 3(c) is adiagram showing an example of a state in which a landing positiondeviation (X deviation) occurs in a sub scanning direction (Xdirection);

FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) are diagrams schematically showing an example of howto change plate division cross-section data, wherein FIG. 4(a) is adiagram showing an example of how to change a range in which ink isejected according to the plate division cross-section data, and FIG.4(b) shows an example of a state in which plate division cross-sectiondata 304 y and color cross-section data 302 c are superposed;

FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) are diagram schematically showing another example ofhow to change the plate division cross-section data, wherein FIG. 5(a)is a diagram showing an example of how to shift a position of the platedivision cross-section data, and FIG. 5(b) schematically shows a statein which ink layers are formed while shifting positions of some platedivision cross-section data; and

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation thatgenerates the slice data in the control PC 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be describedwith reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1(a) to 1(c) show an example of ashaping system 10 for executing a shaping method for a three-dimensionalobject (manufacturing method for a three-dimensional object) accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1(a) shows an exampleof a configuration of the shaping system 10. In this example, theshaping system 10 includes a shaping apparatus 12 and a control PC 14.

The shaping apparatus 12 is an apparatus for executing shaping of athree-dimensional object and shapes a three-dimensional object under thecontrol of the control PC 14. In this example, shaping operationperformed in the shaping apparatus 12 is an example of operation of ashaping execution stage. More specifically, the shaping apparatus 12 is,for example, a shaping apparatus for shaping a three-dimensional object,at least the surface of which is colored, receives slice data, which isdata showing a cross-sectional configuration of a three-dimensionalobject to be shaped, from the control PC 14, and shapes thethree-dimensional object based on the slice data. In this case, theshaping apparatus 12 receives from the control PC 14 a plurality ofslice data respectively showing cross sections at different positions inthe three-dimensional object to be shaped.

The control PC 14 is a shaping controller (host PC) that controls theoperation of the shaping apparatus 12. In this example, the control PC14 externally receives shaping data showing the three-dimensional objectto be shaped by the shaping apparatus 12 in a predetermined format, andgenerates slice data, corresponding to the cross section at eachposition of the three-dimensional object 50, based on this shaping data.Further, the control PC 14 supplies the generated plural slice data tothe shaping apparatus 12 and thereby controls the shaping operation bythe shaping apparatus 12.

As the shaping data, for example, general-purpose 3D data or the likeindependent of the model of the shaping apparatus 12 and the like can besuitably used. Furthermore, the control PC 14 may generate the shapingdata in the control PC 14 according to, for example, user's operation,instead of externally obtaining the shaping data. As described above, inthis example, the shaping system 10 is constituted by a plurality ofapparatuses (the shaping apparatus 12 and the control PC 14). However,in a variation of the shaping system 10, the shaping system 10 may beconstituted by a single device. In this case, for example, it isconceivable to constitute the shaping system 10 only by the shapingapparatus 12 including the function of the control PC 14.

Next, a specific configuration of the shaping apparatus 12 will bedescribed. FIG. 1(b) shows an example of a configuration of a relevantportion of a shaping apparatus 12, and in this example, the shapingapparatus 12 has a head part 102, a shaping table 104, a scan driver106, and a controller 110.

Except for the points to be described below, the shaping apparatus 12may have the same or similar features as known shaping apparatuses. Morespecifically, except for the points to be described below, the shapingapparatus 12 may have the same or similar features as the known shapingapparatus that performs shaping by ejecting droplets, which arematerials of the three-dimensional object 50, using an inkjet head, forexample. Moreover, in addition to the configuration illustrated, theshaping apparatus 12 may further be provided with any otherconfiguration required for shaping and coloring the three-dimensionalobject 50, for example. In this example, the shaping apparatus 12 is ashaping apparatus (3D printer) for shaping the three-dimensional object50 by a layered shaping method. In this case, the layered shaping methodis, for example, a method of stacking a plurality of layers to shape thethree-dimensional object 50. The three-dimensional object 50 is, forexample, a stereoscopic three-dimensional structure.

The head part 102 is a unit that ejects the material of thethree-dimensional object 50. In this example, ink is used as thematerial of the three-dimensional object 50. In this case, the inkmeans, for example, a liquid ejected from the inkjet head. Morespecifically, the head part 102 ejects, as the material of thethree-dimensional object 50, ink to be cured according to predeterminedconditions from a plurality of inkjet heads, which are examples of theplurality of ejection heads. Then, the ink after landing is cured,whereby the layers constituting the three-dimensional object 50 areformed in an overlapped manner, and a three-dimensional object is shapedby the layered shaping method. In this example, an ultraviolet curableink (UV ink) cured from a liquid state by irradiation with ultravioletlight is used as the ink.

The head part 102 further ejects a material of a support layer 52 inaddition to the material of the three-dimensional object 50. In thisway, the shaping apparatus 12 forms the support layer 52 around thethree-dimensional object 50 as needed. The support layer 52 is, forexample, a laminated structure that supports the three-dimensionalobject 50 by surrounding an outer periphery of the three-dimensionalobject 50 being shaped. The support layer 52 is formed as needed at thetime of shaping of the three-dimensional object 50, and is removed aftercompletion of shaping. A more specific configuration of the head part102 will be described in more detail later with reference to FIG. 1(c).

The shaping table 104 is a trapezoidal member supporting thethree-dimensional object 50 being shaped, is disposed at a positionfacing the inkjet head in the head part 102, and places thethree-dimensional object 50 being shaped on the upper surface. In thisexample, at least the upper surface of the shaping table 104 can move inthe stacking direction (Z direction in the drawing), and when driven bythe scan driver 106, the shaping table 104 moves at least its uppersurface in accordance with progression of shaping of thethree-dimensional object 50. In this case, the stacking direction is,for example, a direction in which materials for shaping are stacked inthe layered shaping method. More specifically, in this example, thestacking direction is a direction orthogonal to a main scanningdirection (Y direction in the drawing) and a sub scanning direction (Xdirection in the drawing).

The scan driver 106 is a driving section that allows the head part 102to perform a scanning operation that relatively moves the head part 102to the three-dimensional object 50 being shaped. In this case, therelative movement with respect to the three-dimensional object 50 beingshaped is, for example, relative movement with respect to the shapingtable 104. To allow the head part 102 to perform the scanning operationis, for example, to allow the inkjet head of the head part 102 toperform the scanning operation. In this example, the scan driver 106allows the head part 102 to perform a main scanning operation (Yscanning), a sub scanning operation (X scanning), and scanning in thestacking direction (Z scanning).

The main scanning operation is, for example, an operation that ejectsink while moving in the main scanning direction. In this example, thescan driver 106 fixes the position of the shaping table 104 in the mainscanning direction, allows the shaping table 104 to move by the headpart 102, and thereby allows the head part 102 to perform the mainscanning operation. On the other hand, for example, the scan driver 106may fix the position of the head part 102 in the main scanningdirection, allows the shaping table 104 to move, for example, andthereby allows the head part 102 to move by the three-dimensional object50.

The sub scanning operation is, for example, an operation that relativelymoves with respect to the shaping table 104 in the sub scanningdirection orthogonal to the main scanning direction. More specifically,the sub scanning operation is, for example, an operation that relativelymoves with respect to the shaping table 104 in the sub scanningdirection by a preset feed amount. In this example, the scan driver 106fixes the position of the head part 102 in the sub scanning directionbetween the main scanning operations, allows the shaping table 104 tomove, and thereby allows the head part 102 to perform the sub scanningoperation. On the other hand, the scan driver 106 fixes the position ofthe shaping table 104 in the sub scanning direction, allows the headpart 102 to move, and thereby allows the head part 102 to perform thesub scanning operation.

The scanning in the stacking direction scanning is, for example, anoperation that moves at least one of the head part 102 and the shapingtable 104 in the stacking direction to move the head part 102 in thestacking direction relatively with respect to the three-dimensionalobject 50. In addition, the scan driver 106 allows the head part 102 toperform the scanning in the stacking direction in accordance withprogression of the shaping operation to adjust a relative position ofthe inkjet head with respect to the three-dimensional object 50 beingshaped in the stacking direction. More specifically, in this example,the scan driver 106 fixes the position of the head part 102 in thestacking direction and moves the shaping table 104. The scan driver 106may move the head part 102 while fixing the position of the shapingtable 104 in the stacking direction.

The controller 110 is, for example, CPU of the shaping apparatus 12 andcontrols each section of the shaping apparatus 12 to control the shapingoperation for the three-dimensional object 50. More specifically, inthis example, the controller 110 controls operation of each section ofthe shaping apparatus 12 based on the slice data received from thecontrol PC 14. According to this example, the three-dimensional object50 can be suitably shaped.

Next, a more detailed configuration of the head part 102 will bedescribed. FIG. 1(c) shows an example of a more detailed configurationof a head part 102; In this example, the head part 102 has a pluralityof inkjet heads, a plurality of ultraviolet light sources 204, and aflattening roller 206. As shown in the drawing, as the inkjet heads, thehead part 102 has an inkjet head 202 s, an inkjet head 202 w, an inkjethead 202 y, an inkjet head 202 m, an inkjet head 202 c, an inkjet head202 k, and an inkjet head 202 t. These inkjet heads are arranged side byside in the main scanning direction with their positions aligned in thesub scanning direction, for example. Each of the inkjet heads has anozzle array, in which a plurality of nozzles are aligned in apredetermined nozzle array direction, on the surface facing the shapingtable 104. In this example, the nozzle array direction is parallel tothe sub scanning direction.

Among these inkjet heads, the inkjet head 202 s is an inkjet head thatejects the material of the support layer 52. As the material of thesupport layer 52, a known material for a support layer can be suitablyused, for example.

The inkjet head 202 w is an inkjet head that ejects ink of white (W)color, and forms an internal region, which is a region constituting theinterior of the three-dimensional object 50, with the white ink. Inaddition, in this example, the white ink is an example of lightreflective ink, and is used, for example, when forming a region (lightreflection region) having a property of reflecting light in thethree-dimensional object 50. In this case, the light reflection regionreflects light entering from the outside of the three-dimensional object50, for example when a surface of the three-dimensional object 50 iscolored in a full color representation. The full color representationis, for example, a representation of a color performed with a possiblecombination of a subtractive color mixing method using ink of processcolor. In this example, the internal region is formed with white ink, sothat the internal region also functions as the light reflection region.

In a modified example of the operation of the shaping apparatus 12, theinternal region and the light reflection region may be formedseparately. In this case, the internal region may be formed using inkother than white ink. The head part 102 may further have an inkjet heador the like that ejects shaping material ink (Mo ink) as an inkjet headfor forming the internal region. In this case, the shaping material inkis, for example, ink dedicated to shaping for use in shaping theinternal region of the three-dimensional object 50.

The inkjet head 202 y, the inkjet head 202 m, the inkjet head 202 c, andthe inkjet head 202 k (hereinafter referred to as the inkjet heads 202 yto k) are coloring inkjet heads (coloring heads) for coloring thethree-dimensional object 50, and eject ink of chromatic color as anexample of the coloring material. More specifically, the inkjet head 202y ejects ink of yellow (Y) color. The inkjet head 202 m ejects ink ofmagenta (M) color. The inkjet head 202 c ejects ink of cyan (C) color.The inkjet head 202 k ejects ink of black (k) color. In this case, eachcolor of Y, M, C, and K is an example of process color used for the fullcolor representation by the subtractive color mixing method. The inkjethead 202 t is an inkjet head that ejects clear ink. The clear ink is,for example, a clear-color ink having an uncolored transparent color(T).

The ultraviolet light sources 204 are light sources (UV light sources)for curing ink and generate ultraviolet light to cure ultravioletcurable ink. In this example, the ultraviolet light sources 204 arerespectively disposed on one end side and the other end side in the mainscanning direction of the head part 102 so as to sandwich the array ofthe inkjet heads therebetween. As the ultraviolet light source 204,UVLED (ultraviolet LED) or the like can be suitably used, for example.Further, as the ultraviolet light source 204, a metal halide lamp, amercury lamp, or the like may be used.

The flattening roller 206 is flattening means for flattening a layer ofink formed during shaping of the three-dimensional object 50. Forexample, during the main scanning operation, the flattening roller 206comes into contact with a surface of the ink layer and removes a portionof the ink before curing, thereby flattening the ink layer.

By using the head part 102 having the above configuration, the ink layerconstituting the three-dimensional object 50 can be suitably formed.Further, the three-dimensional object 50 can be suitably shaped byforming the ink layers in an overlapped manner.

The specific configuration of the head part 102 is not limited to theconfiguration described above and can be variously modified. Forexample, the head part 102 may further have, as inkjet heads forcoloring, inkjet heads for colors other than the above-described colors.In addition, the arrangement of the inkjet heads in the head part 102can be variously modified. For example, with respect to some inkjetheads, the positions in the sub scanning direction may be shifted fromother inkjet heads.

Next, an operation that generates the slice data used for shaping thethree-dimensional object 50 and the like will be described in moredetail. FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) are diagrams showing an example of theoperation that generates the slice data, and schematically shows anexample of the configuration of the three-dimensional object 50 to beshaped by the shaping apparatus 12 and a portion of the operation thatgenerates the slice data. FIG. 2(a) is a cross-sectional view showing anexample of a configuration of a three-dimensional object 50 to be shapedby the shaping apparatus 12, and as shown in the drawing, theillustrated cross section is an X-Y cross section perpendicular to the Zdirection (stacking direction). In this example, the configurations of aZ-X section and the X-Y section of the three-dimensional object 50perpendicular to the Y direction and the Z direction are the same.

As also described above, in this example, the shaping apparatus 12shapes the three-dimensional object 50 using the inkjet heads 202 y to k(see FIGS. 1(a) to 1(c)) and so on. In this way, for example, thethree-dimensional object 50 with the colored surface is shaped. In thiscase, the fact that the surface of the three-dimensional object 50 iscolored is, for example, the fact that at least a portion of a region ofthe three-dimensional object 50 where the color can be visuallyrecognized from outside is colored. As shown in the drawing, in thisexample, when the three-dimensional object 50 with the colored surfaceis shaped, the shaping apparatus 12 shapes the three-dimensional object50 having an internal region 152 and a colored region 154. If necessary,a support layer is formed around the three-dimensional object 50.

The internal region 152 is a region inside the three-dimensional object50 that configures the shape of the three-dimensional object 50. In thisexample, the head part 102 forms the internal region 152 using white inkejected from the inkjet head 202 w. In this way, as also describedabove, the internal region 152 also functions as the light reflectionregion.

The colored region 154 is a region colored by inks for coloring ejectedfrom the inkjet heads 202 y to k. As shown in the drawing, in thisexample, the colored region 154 is a layered region following a surfaceshape of the three-dimensional object 50. The head part 102 forms thecolored region 154 around the internal region 152 by using the inks forcoloring of the respective colors ejected from the inkjet heads 202 y tok and the clear ink ejected from the inkjet head 202 t. In this case,various colors are represented by adjusting an ejection amount of inkfor coloring of each color to each position. Clear ink is used toperform compensation so that a change in the amount of ink for coloringthat is caused by a difference in color matches with a constant amount.With such a configuration, for example, each position of the coloredregion 154 can be suitably colored with a desired color. In this way,for example, the three-dimensional object 50 with the colored surfacecan be suitably formed.

In a modified example of the configuration of the three-dimensionalobject 50, the specific configuration of the three-dimensional object 50may be different from the above. More specifically, for example, it isconceivable to form a light reflection region between the internalregion 152 and the colored region 154, distinguished from the internalregion 152. In this case, the internal region 152 may be formed usingink other than white ink. For example, it is conceivable to form theinternal region 152 by using any ink other than the material of thesupport layer 52. Further, for example, it is conceivable to form aseparation region between the light reflection region and the coloredregion 154. In this case, the separation region is a region forpreventing mixing of white ink constituting the light reflection regionwith ink for coloring in the colored region 154, and is formed of clearink, for example. Furthermore, for example, it is conceivable to form aprotective region outside the colored region 154 by using the clear inkejected from the inkjet head 202 t. In this case, the protective regionis, for example, a transparent region for protecting an outer surface ofthe three-dimensional object 50.

As also described above, in this example, the shaping apparatus 12shapes the three-dimensional object 50 based on the slice data receivedfrom the control PC 14. The control PC 14 generates the slice data basedon the shaping data showing the three-dimensional object 50 to beshaped.

FIG. 2(b) is a diagram schematically showing a portion of the operationthat generates the slice data in the control PC 14 (see FIGS. 1(a) to1(c)), and schematically shows an example of the operation thatgenerates the slice data corresponding to one cross section in thethree-dimensional object 50.

In this example, the control PC 14 sets cross-sectional positionsaligned at a constant interval in the Z direction (stacking direction),and generates the slice data corresponding to each cross-sectionalposition. In this case, the interval between the cross-sectionalpositions is set, for example, according to the thickness of the inklayer to be stacked in the layered shaping method. Further, the controlPC 14 generates plate division cross-section data, which is datacorresponding to each ink used for shaping, based on the shaping data.Then, the slice data is generated based on the generated plate divisioncross-section data. In this case, for example, each plate divisioncross-section data is converted according to the specifications of theshaping apparatus 12 and the like, whereby the slice data including theconverted data corresponding to each plate division cross-section datais generated. In this case, in this conversion, for example, it isconceivable to perform a process of binarizing the plate divisioncross-section data.

More specifically, in the operation that generates the plate divisioncross-section data, the control PC 14 firstly generates colorcross-section data 302, which is data showing a configuration of a crosssection of the three-dimensional object 50 at each cross-sectionalposition, based on the shaping data showing the three-dimensional object50 to be shaped. In this case, the color cross-section data 302 is datashowing at least the cross-sectional shape of the three-dimensionalobject 50 at the cross-sectional position and the color of thethree-dimensional object 50 at each position of the cross section. Thecross-sectional shape is a planar shape of the cross section in a planeorthogonal to the stacking direction. The color of the three-dimensionalobject 50 at each position of the cross section is, for example, thecolor at each position represented by full color. It is conceivable thatthe color cross-section data 302 is, for example, a color image (slicedcolor image) showing the planar shape and color of the cross section.

More specifically, in this example, before generating the colorcross-section data 302 at each cross-sectional position, the control PC14 generates three-dimensional data (3D data) including each region inthe three-dimensional object 50, such as the internal region 152 and thecolored region 154, based on the shaping data. Then, thethree-dimensional data is cut into round slices at regular intervals, sothat the color cross-section data 302 at each cross-sectional positionis generated. Thus, as shown in the drawing, similarly to theconfiguration of the three-dimensional object 50 shown in FIG. 2(a), thecolor cross-section data 302 has a region corresponding to the internalregion 152 and a region corresponding to the colored region 154.Although not illustrated, in the case of forming the support layeraround the three-dimensional object 50, if necessary the control PC 14further adds a region corresponding to the support layer to thethree-dimensional data described above, for example. In this case, thecolor cross-section data 302 further has a region corresponding to thesupport layer, for example.

After generating the color cross-section data 302, the control PC 14color-separates the color cross-section data 302 for each color of inkused for shaping the three-dimensional object 50 and thereby generates aplurality of plate division cross-section data corresponding to inks ofthe respective colors. More specifically, in this example, the controlPC 14 generates at least plate division cross-section data 304 wcorresponding to white ink, plate division cross-section data 304 y, 304m, 304 c, and 304 k (hereinafter referred to as plate divisioncross-section data 304 y to k) corresponding to inks of the respectivecolors Y, M, C and K, and plate division cross-section data 304 tcorresponding to clear ink. Although not illustrated, if necessary, thecontrol PC 14 further generates plate division cross-section datacorresponding to ink, which is a material of the support layer, forexample. In the case of further using inks of colors other than theabove-described colors, the control PC 14 further generates platedivision cross-section data corresponding to the colors.

In this case, to color-separate the color cross-section data 302 is, forexample, to decompose the color represented by full color in the colorcross-section data 302 into colors of inks used for shaping. In thiscase, for example, it is conceivable to generate plate divisioncross-section data corresponding to ink of each color in the same orsimilar manner as plate division processing performed when a full colorimage is printed in a known ink jet printer. The plate divisioncross-section data corresponding to each color is, for example, data ofa gray scale image and shows the amount of ink to be ejected to eachposition of the cross section according to a gray scale density at eachposition. In a modified example of the operation of the control PC 14,for example, it is also conceivable to use a binary image, formed byperforming a halftone process to a gray scale image, as plate divisioncross-section data.

When the plate division cross-section data is generated in this way, theplate division cross-section data 304 w is, for example, data in which aportion corresponding to the internal region 152 in thethree-dimensional object 50 is painted. The plate division cross-sectiondata 304 y to k and the plate division cross-section data 304 t are datain which a concentration corresponding to the ejection amount of inkwith respect to each position of the colored region 154 in thethree-dimensional object 50 is set.

As also described above, in this example, predetermined processing suchas binarization is performed on such plate division cross-section datato generate the slice data. With such a configuration, for example, inkof each color can be suitably ejected to the inkjet head for each colorin the shaping apparatus 12. In this way, for example, thethree-dimensional object 50 with the colored surface can be suitablyshaped by the shaping apparatus 12.

In this example, in order to reduce the influence of deviation of alanding position of ink occurring at the time of shaping and the like,change (adjustment) of data is further performed on at least a portionof the plate division cross-section data generated by color separation.The change of data to be performed on the plate division cross-sectiondata will be described in more detail later.

Here, the influence of the deviation of the landing position of inkoccurring at the time of shaping and the like will be described in moredetail. FIGS. 3(a) to 3(c) are diagrams for explaining the influence ofthe deviation of the landing position of ink and the like. FIG. 3(a) isa diagram showing an example of a state in which the landing positiondeviation (Y deviation) occurs in the main scanning direction (Ydirection) and shows an example of a state in which the landingdeviation position occurs in at least one of a cyan ink dot 402 c and amagenta ink dot 402 m. In this case, the dot 402 c and the dot 402 mland in a state of being deviated in the main scanning direction whilepartially overlapping each other, for example. As a result, the colorformed by overlapping the two dots is not completely uniform, and adifference occurs depending on the position in the main scanningdirection. More specifically, when the landing position deviation occursas illustrated, a cyan portion, a portion in which cyan color andmagenta color are mixed, and a magenta portion are aligned in the mainscanning direction.

On the other hand, even if such a landing position deviation occurs,when an actual image is observed, an averaged state includingsurrounding dots is usually observed. Thus, for example, in the case ofan upper surface of the three-dimensional object 50 or the like, even ifsuch a landing position deviation occurs, it is considered that theinfluence on the color of the surface is small.

However, in the three-dimensional object 50, the side surface is formedby overlapping ends of ink layers to be stacked. Thus, in the case ofthe side surface and the like, there is a case that the tint of thesurface is changed by such a landing position deviation.

FIG. 3(b) is a diagram for explaining a change in tint on the sidesurface of the three-dimensional object 50 and schematically shows theinfluence of the deviation of the landing position of ink with respectto ink layers stacked at the time of shaping. In this case, for example,when the landing position deviation as shown in FIG. 3(a) occurs, eithercyan color or magenta color strongly appears on the side surface on oneand the other sides in the main scanning direction. More specifically,for example, it is conceivable that the side surface on the sideindicated by the arrow 410 a is colored with a tint in which cyan colorappears strongly. On the other hand, it is conceivable that the sidesurface on the side indicated by the arrow 410 b is colored with a tintin which magenta color appears strongly. As a result, a difference intint occurs on one and the other sides of the three-dimensional object50 in the main scanning direction (left and right sides of thethree-dimensional object 50).

The influence of the landing position deviation may be generated in adirection other than the main scanning direction. FIG. 3(c) is a diagramshowing an example of a state in which the landing position deviation (Xdeviation) occurs in the sub scanning direction (X direction) and showsan example of the state in which the landing deviation position occursin at least one of the cyan ink dot 402 c and the magenta ink dot 402 m.Also in this case, the color formed by overlapping the two dots is notcompletely uniform, and a difference occurs depending on the position inthe sub scanning direction. As a result, either cyan color or magentacolor strongly appears on the side surface of the three-dimensionalobject 50 on one and the other sides in the sub scanning direction. As aresult, a difference in tint occurs on one and the other sides of thethree-dimensional object 50 in the sub scanning direction (front andrear sides of the three-dimensional object 50).

On the other hand, in this example, as also described above, in order toreduce the influence of the deviation of the landing position of inkoccurring at the time of shaping and the like, change (adjustment) ofdata is performed on at least a portion of the plate divisioncross-section data generated by color separation. Hereinafter, anexample of a change to be performed on the plate division cross-sectiondata will be described in more detail.

FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) are diagrams schematically showing an example of howto change the plate division cross-section data and shows an example ofoperation of a plate division cross-section data change stage which is astage that changes the plate division cross-section data in theoperation of the control PC 14. The operation shown in FIGS. 4(a) and4(b) are, for example, an example of an operation in the case ofchanging a portion of the plurality of plate division cross-section dataused for forming at least some layers to be stacked. In this case, aportion of the plurality of plate division cross-section data used forforming at least some layers is, for example, a portion of a pluralityof the plate division cross-section data corresponding to at least aportion of the color cross-section data 302 (see FIG. 2(b)) formed inthe control PC 14 corresponding to each layer to be stacked. The platedivision cross-section data 304 corresponding to the color cross-sectiondata 302 is, for example, the plate division cross-section data 304generated by color separation of the color cross-section data 302.

The operation shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) are also an example of anoperation that changes (adjusts) the plate division cross-section dataso that the range (color plate size) in which ink is ejected changesaccording to the plate division cross-section data. More specifically,in the operation shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), for the plurality ofplate division cross-section data corresponding to the respectivelayers, the range in which ink is ejected according to the platedivision cross-section data corresponding to any color is made largerthan the range corresponding to other colors.

FIG. 4(a) is a diagram showing an example of how to change the range inwhich ink is ejected in accordance with the plate division cross-sectiondata, and shows an example of a case where the range in which ink isejected is made larger than the respective ranges corresponding to C(cyan) color, M (magenta) color, and K (black) color in accordance withthe plate division cross-section data 304 y corresponding to Y (yellow)color. In the drawing, for convenience of illustration, only the platedivision cross-section data 304 y corresponding to the Y color and theplate division cross-section data 304 c corresponding to the C color areillustrated. The range in which ink is ejected according to the platedivision cross-section data corresponding to the M color and the K coloris the same as or similar to the range corresponding to the C color, forexample.

More specifically, in the illustrated case, the width in the mainscanning direction and the sub scanning direction in a rangecorresponding to the plate division cross-section data 304 y are LYy andLXy. The width corresponding to the colored region 154 (see FIGS. 2(a)and 2(b)) in the plate division cross-section data 304 y is Dy. Thewidth in the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction in arange corresponding to the plate division cross-section data 304 c areLYc and LXc. The width corresponding to the colored region 154 in theplate division cross-section data 304 c is Dc. In this case, therespective width have a relationship satisfying LXy>LXc, LYy>LYc, andDy>Dc.

For convenience of illustration, in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), the platedivision cross-section data 304 y and the plate division cross-sectiondata 304 c are shown shifted in position. However, on the coordinatesthat manage the position of the plate division cross-section data, theplate division cross-section data 304 y and the plate divisioncross-section data 304 c overlap each other with their centers alignedas shown in FIG. 4(b), for example. FIG. 4(b) shows an example of astate in which the plate division cross-section data 304 y and colorcross-section data 302 c are superposed.

In this example, the control PC 14 changes at least one of the platedivision cross-section data 304 corresponding to the Y color and theplate division cross-section data corresponding to the colors (M, C, andK colors) of inks for coloring other than the Y color to change therange corresponding to at least some plate division cross-section data.More specifically, in this case, as shown in the drawing for example, ina state after changing the plate division cross-section data, the rangeof the plate division cross-section data 304 y is made larger than therange of the plate division cross-section data 304 c and the like. Inthis case, as shown in FIG. 4(b) for example, for an outer edge portioncorresponding to the outside of the three-dimensional object, the outeredge of the range of the plate division cross-section data 304 c isoutside the outer edge of the range of the plate division cross-sectiondata 304 c.

In such a configuration, an outermost side (outermost portion) of thethree-dimensional object is formed with a certain color (Y color) at thetime of shaping the three-dimensional object in the shaping apparatus 12(see FIGS. 1(a) to 1(c)). In this case, for example, even when thelanding position of ink for coloring deviates, it is possible to make itdifficult for the tint to change. Thus, with such a configuration, forexample, it is possible to suitably prevent a change in the appearanceof color of the three-dimensional object due to the deviation of thelanding position of ink. In this way, for example, the coloredthree-dimensional object can be more suitably shaped with high accuracy.

Here, for example, when the deviation amount of the landing position ofink is larger than the resolution of shaping, it is preferable not tochange the plate division cross-section data as described above but toreduce the deviation by, for example, adjusting the timing of ejectingthe ink. For this reason, when the plate division cross-section data ischanged, for example, it is preferable to change the range by a minimuminterval (minimum inter-dot pitch) of the ejection position according tothe resolution of shaping. In this case, the minimum interval of theejection position corresponds to, for example, one dot of the resolutionof shaping. With such a configuration, for example, it is possible tosuitably suppress the influence of the deviation of the landing positionof ink without excessively changing the plate division cross-sectiondata.

More specifically, in this case, for example, for the plate divisioncross-section data whose range is made larger than the plate divisioncross-section data corresponding to other colors like the plate divisioncross-section data 304 y, it is conceivable to extend the outer edgeportion by one dot. To extend the outer edge portion by one dot is, forexample, to add data corresponding to one dot to the outside of eachposition of the outer edge of the plate division cross-section data. Inthis case, for example, it is conceivable to add a dot having a presetconstant gray scale density (for example, maximum density).

When the plate division cross-section data is changed, it is conceivableto reduce the range of the plate division cross-section data 304 c andthe like, instead of changing the plate division cross-section data 304y. In this case, it is conceivable to reduce the outer edge portion byone dot with respect to the plate division cross-section data 304 c andthe like. To reduce the outer edge portion by one dot is, for example,to delete data corresponding to one dot at each position of the outeredge of the plate division cross-section data.

In the operation described with reference to FIGS. 4(a) to 4(c), the Ycolor is an example of the first color. The range in which ink isejected according to the plate division cross-section data 304 y is anexample of the first range. Each color of M, C, and K is an example ofthe second color. The range in which ink is ejected according to theplate division cross-section data corresponding to each color of M, C,and K is an example of the second range. In this case, regarding the wayof changing the plate division cross-section data described above, whenconsidering a more general way, the way can be considered as theoperation that changes the plate division cross-section datacorresponding to at least one of the first color and the second color soas to prevent the second range from protruding to the outside of thethree-dimensional object relative to the first range.

For example, it is also conceivable to set the first color and thesecond color to colors other than the above-described colors. In thiscase, the first color is preferably brighter than the second color. Thebright color is, for example, a color with a lower light absorptionrate. With such a configuration, for example, even when the landingposition of ink for coloring deviates, it is possible to suitablyprevent a dark-colored ink from deviating outside the three-dimensionalobject. This also makes it possible, for example, to more suitablysuppress the change in the appearance of color.

In the setting of the first color and the second color, for example, itis also conceivable to change the setting for each layer to be stacked.In this case, for example, the first color is set for each layer, and acolor other than the first color in the color of ink for coloring is setto the second color. In this case, for example, it is conceivable to setthe first color such that the setting of the first color differs betweensuccessively overlapping layers in the stacking direction. With such aconfiguration, for example, the way in which the color changes in eachlayer is made different for each layer, and can be averaged over theentire surface. This also makes it possible, for example, to suitablysuppress the change in tint due to the landing position deviation.Regarding the selection of the first color, for example, it isconceivable to randomly select the color for each layer.

Regarding the change of the plate division cross-section data, it isconceivable to perform a change other than the extension or reduction ofthe range as described above. FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) are diagramsschematically showing another example of how to change the platedivision cross-section data, and shows an example of an operation in thecase of not changing the size of the range corresponding to each platedivision cross-section data but shifting the position to change therange corresponding to the plate division cross-section data.

In this case, to shift the position with respect to the plate divisioncross-section data is, for example, to shift the position of the platedivision cross-section data in a plane (XY plane) orthogonal to thestacking direction with respect to at least some plate divisioncross-section data corresponding to at least some of the colorcross-section data 302. The position of the plate division cross-sectiondata is, for example, a position at which ink is ejected according tothe plate division cross-section data at the time of shaping. When theposition of the plate division cross-section data is shifted, forexample, it is conceivable to shift a reference position of the platedivision cross-section data on the coordinates that manage the positionof the plate division cross-section data.

FIG. 5(a) is a diagram showing an example of how to shift the positionof the plate division cross-section data, and shows an example of astate in which the position of the plate division cross-section data 304c corresponding to C color is shifted. In FIG. 5(a), the upper diagramis the separation plate section data 304 c before the position isshifted. On the other hand, the lower diagram shows a state in which theplate division cross-section data 304 c is shifted by a predetermineddistance dy in the main scanning direction. When the position of theplate division cross-section data 304 c is shifted in this manner, forexample, the range in which ink is ejected according to the platedivision cross-section data 304 c can be changed.

In this case, it is preferable that out of the plate divisioncross-section data of the colors corresponding to the single platedivision cross-section data 304, the positions of the plate divisioncross-section data 304 of some colors are shifted. In addition, it ispreferable that the way of shifting the plate division cross-sectiondata changes for each layer to be stacked. The color of the platedivision cross-section data that shifts the position may be differentfor each layer. In this case, for example, it is conceivable to shiftthe plate division cross-section data of different colors betweensuccessively overlapping layers in the stacking direction. For example,it is also conceivable to shift the plate division cross-section datacorresponding to a randomly selected color in each layer.

FIG. 5(b) is a diagram schematically showing a state in which ink layersare formed while shifting positions of some plate division cross-sectiondata, and shows an example of the position of the plate divisioncross-section data 304 c in the XY plane with respect to an n-th layerand an n+1-th layer which are two successively overlapping layers. Inthe illustrated example, the position of the plate divisioncross-section data 304 c in the n+1-th layer is shifted by thepredetermined distance dy in the main scanning direction (Y direction)as compared with the position in the n-th layer.

When the positions of some plate division cross-section data are shiftedin this way, for example, the way of overlapping ink dots changes at theend of the ink layer constituting the side surface of thethree-dimensional object. In this case, by making the way of shiftingthe position different for each layer, for example, the tint of an endof the colored region 154 changes for each layer.

Thus, in such a configuration, for example, even when the landingposition of ink for coloring constituting the colored region 154deviates, the influence of the deviation can be dispersed and averaged.This also makes it possible, for example, to suppress the influence ofthe appearance of color in individual layers on the side surface of thethree-dimensional object or the like, and to uniformize the tint of eachsurface. Thus, with such a configuration, it is possible to suitablyrepresent a desired color (tint) of each surface of thethree-dimensional object.

The operation shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) may be considered as aconfiguration that gives error such that the same tint is obtained as asurface by intentionally shifting the position of the plate divisioncross-section data for each layer. Regarding the way of shifting theplate division cross-section data, for example, it is conceivable toshift the plate division cross-section data corresponding to a presetcolor alternately to the left, right, back and forth in the drawing, inorder for each layer to be stacked. In this case, to shift alternatelyto the left and right in the drawing is to shift alternately in one andthe other direction in the main scanning direction. On the other hand,to shift alternately to the back and forth is to shift alternately inone and the other direction in the sub scanning direction.

Further, regarding the way of shifting the plate division cross-sectiondata, for example, it is conceivable to randomly shift the platedivision cross-section data for each layer to be stacked. The platedivision cross-section data whose position is to be shifted is notlimited to the plate division cross-section data of a certain color. Forexample, selection of color is changed for each color, and the positionof the plate division cross-section data corresponding to the selectedcolor may be shifted.

In the case of shifting the position of the plate division cross-sectiondata, it is preferable to make the shift amount correspond to one dotcorresponding to a minimum interval of the ejection position accordingto the resolution of shaping. In this case, to shift the position of theplate division cross-section data by one dot is to shift the position byone dot in one or both of the main scanning direction and the subscanning direction. With such a configuration, for example, it ispossible to suitably suppress the influence of the deviation of thelanding position of the coloring material without excessively changingthe plate division cross-section data.

Next, the whole operation that generates the slice data in the controlPC 14 will be described in more detail. FIG. 6 is a flow chart showingan example of the operation that generates the slice data in the controlPC 14. In this example, the operation shown in this flow chart is anexample of operation of a slice data generation stage.

In this example, when the slice data is generated, the control PC 14first acquires the shaping data from the outside of the control PC 14through a network, a storage medium, or the like (S102). As describedabove with reference to FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), for example, the control PC14 generates the color cross-section data at each cross-sectionalposition based on the shaping data (S104). In this example, theoperation of step S104 is an example of operation of a colorcross-section data generation stage. Subsequently to the operation ofstep S104, the control PC 14 generates the plate division cross-sectiondata for each color based on each color cross-section data (S106). Inthis example, the operation of step S106 is an example of operation of aplate division data generation stage.

Subsequently to the operation of step S106, as described above withreference to FIGS. 4(a) and (b), FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), or the like, thecontrol PC 14 changes (adjusts) at least some of the plate divisioncross-section data (S108). According to this constitution, the rangecorresponding to some plate division cross-section data is changed, andat least a portion of the position at which ink is ejected according tothe plate division cross-section data is changed. In this example, theoperation of step S108 is an example of operation of a plate divisioncross-section data change stage.

Subsequently to the operation of step S108, the control PC 14 generatesthe slice data for each color based on the plate division cross-sectiondata after change in step S108. In this case, for example, the controlPC 14 binarizes the plate division cross-section data or changes theformat of data according to the model of the shaping apparatus 12 togenerate the slice data based on the plate division cross-section data.Then, the generated slice data is output to the shaping apparatus 12(see FIGS. 1(a) to 1(c)) (S110). According to this example, the slicedata can be suitably generated based on the shaping data while changingthe plate division cross-section data, for example.

In this case, the shaping apparatus 12 shapes a three-dimensional objectby the layered shaping method according to the slice data received fromthe control PC 14. The shaping operation performed in the shapingapparatus 12 is an example of operation of a shaping execution stage. Inthis case, by performing shaping in accordance with the slice datagenerated based on the changed plate division cross-section data, asdescribed above, the influence of the deviation of the landing positionof ink for coloring can be suitably suppressed. Also, by this, it ispossible to suitably shape the colored shaped object with high accuracy.

Next, further modifications of the operation that changes the platedivision cross-section data will be described. In the above description,regarding the change of the plate division cross-section data, theoperation in the case where the range in which ink is ejected accordingto the plate division cross-section data is changed has been mainlydescribed. However, as for a further modification of the operation thatchanges the plate division cross-section data, for example, it isconceivable to change the configuration in the plate divisioncross-section data without changing the range of the plate divisioncross-section data.

More specifically, in this case, for example, it is conceivable tochange color density within a width (thickness) of a portioncorresponding to the colored region 154 (see FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b)) in theplate division cross-section data to realize gradations. In this case,for example, it is preferable to change the color density such that theinside color of the three-dimensional object becomes darker and theoutside color becomes lighter. With such a configuration, for example,even when the landing position of ink for coloring deviates, it ispossible to reduce the influence on color of an outermost surface of thethree-dimensional object. This also makes it possible to suitablysuppress the change in tint of a surface such as the side surface.

The operation that changes the plate division cross-section data in thisway may be considered as a configuration in which, with respect to atleast some plate division cross-section data corresponding to at leastsome color cross-section data, a density in a region outside thethree-dimensional object is reduced with respect to a density at theposition at which ink is ejected. In this case, it is preferable toincrease a density in a region inside the three-dimensional object by anamount that is reduced relative to the outside. Such a configurationthat the density is changed may be considered as a configuration inwhich a gradient is given to color density such that the outside colorbecomes lighter and the inside color becomes darker.

In the above description, for example, the operation in the case ofchanging the plate division cross-section data of each color of Y, M, C,and K which is the color of ink for coloring has been described.However, regarding the change of the plate division cross-section data,it is conceivable to change the plate division cross-section datacorresponding to clear ink, for example. In this case, for example, itis conceivable to increase the amount of clear ink to be ejected nearthe outermost surface of the three-dimensional object and blur ink ofeach color of Y, M, C, and K with clear ink.

With such a configuration, for example, even when the landing positionsof dots of ink of each color are separated, the color can be made moreuniform by blurring with the clear ink. This also makes it possible tosuitably suppress the change in tint of a surface such as the sidesurface, for example. More specifically, in this case, for example, itis conceivable to make the range of the plate division cross-sectiondata corresponding to the clear ink larger than the plate divisioncross-section data corresponding to other colors in the same or similarmanner as the plate division cross-section data 304 y shown in FIGS.4(a) and 4(b).

The configuration in which ink of each color of Y, M, C, and K isblurred by clear ink may be realized by a method other than changing theplate division cross-section data. Also in this case, by blurring theink of each color of Y, M, C, and K with the clear ink near theoutermost surface of the three-dimensional object, for example even whenthe landing positions of dots of ink of each color are separated, thecolor can be made more uniform.

In the above description, mainly focusing on the fact that the influenceof the deviation of the landing position of ink is suppressed, theeffect obtained by changing the plate division cross-section data hasbeen described. However, more generalizing this, it is conceivable tosuppress the influence by changing the plate division cross-section datawith respect to not only the landing position deviation but also thechange in tint and the like due to other causes. For example, when adifference depending on color of ink (difference in dot gain betweencolors) occurs in the size (dot gain) of ink dots formed by landing isdifferent, for example, it is conceivable to suppress the influence bychanging the plate division cross-section data. Such a difference in dotgain between colors occurs due to, for example, the influences of amachine difference between inkjet heads to be used, habit of eachnozzle, and a characteristic difference between lots of ink to be used.Thus, in this case, it can be considered that the influence of suchitems can be suppressed by changing the plate division cross-sectiondata.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure can be suitably used, for example, in a shapingmethod.

What is claimed is:
 1. A shaping system that shapes a three-dimensionalobject, at least the surface of which is colored, the shaping systemcomprising: a shaping apparatus that shapes the three-dimensional objectbased on a plurality of slice data, showing a configuration of a crosssection of the three-dimensional object at different positions in apreset stacking direction; and a shaping controller that is an apparatusfor controlling operation of the shaping apparatus and generates theplurality of slice data based on shaping data which is data showing thethree-dimensional object to be shaped by the shaping apparatus, whereinthe shaping apparatus shapes the three-dimensional object by using aplurality of ejection heads for ejecting materials of plural colorsdifferent from one another, and when the shaping controller performs anoperation in a color cross-section data generation step that generatescolor cross-section data which is data showing the configuration of thecross section of the three-dimensional object at a presetcross-sectional position in the stacking direction and shows at least ashape of the cross section and a color of the three-dimensional objectat each position of the cross section, an operation in a plate divisiondata generation step that generates plate division cross-section datawhich is data in which the color cross-section data is color-separatedfor each color of the material used for shaping the three-dimensionalobject, and an operation in a plate division cross-section data changestep that changes the plate division cross-section data such that atleast a portion of a position where the material is ejected according tothe plate division cross-section data is changed with respect to atleast some of the plate division cross-section data, the slice data isgenerated based on the plate division cross-section data changed in theplate division cross-section data change step.
 2. The shaping systemaccording to claim 1, wherein in the plate division cross-section datachange step, when a position of the plate division cross-section data ina plane orthogonal to the stacking direction is shifted with respect toat least some of the plate division cross-section data corresponding toat least some of the color cross-section data, the plate divisioncross-section data is changed such that the range in which the materialis ejected according to the plate division cross-section data ischanged.
 3. A shaping apparatus that shapes a three-dimensional object,at least the surface of which is colored, by using a plurality ofejection heads for ejecting materials of plural colors different fromone another, the three-dimensional object being shaped based on aplurality of slice data showing a configuration of a cross section ofthe three-dimensional object at different positions in a preset stackingdirection, the plurality of slice data being data generated based onshaping data which is data showing the three-dimensional object to beshaped by the shaping apparatus, and an operation in a colorcross-section data generation step that generates color cross-sectiondata which is data showing the configuration of the cross section of thethree-dimensional object at a preset cross-sectional position in thestacking direction and shows at least a shape of the cross section and acolor of the three-dimensional object at each position of the crosssection, an operation in a plate division data generation step thatgenerates plate division cross-section data which is data in which thecolor cross-section data is color-separated for each color of thematerial used for shaping the three-dimensional object, and an operationin a plate division cross-section data change step that changes theplate division cross-section data such that at least a portion of aposition where the material is ejected according to the plate divisioncross-section data is changed with respect to at least some of the platedivision cross-section data being performed to generate the slice databased on the plate division cross-section data changed in the platedivision cross-section data change step.
 4. The shaping apparatusaccording to claim 3, wherein in the plate division cross-section datachange step, when a position of the plate division cross-section data ina plane orthogonal to the stacking direction is shifted with respect toat least some of the plate division cross-section data corresponding toat least some of the color cross-section data, the plate divisioncross-section data is changed such that the range in which the materialis ejected according to the plate division cross-section data ischanged.